Earlier work suggested that Ginseng saponin had an effect on osteoblast and other cells, but there has been no report on saponin effects on chondrocyte. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of saponin on cultured human chondrocyte. The chondrocyte was isolated from human articular cartilage of knee joint during notchplasty of ACL reconstructive procedure using collagenase, and cultured in standard medium and serum free deficient medium, with addition of saponin(0(control), 10, 20, 50 microgram/ml concentration). DNA, RNA synthesis of chondrocyte was estimated on 36 hours and 5 days of culture by measuring of thymidine and uridine uptake. Human collagen type I and II synthesis was estimated by reverse transcriptation-polymerase chain reaction on 36 hours of culture. Low dose saponin was found to enhance DNA, RNA, and collagen synthesis of chondrocytes which were cultured with a deficient medium in comparison to the controls. It promoted cell proliferation of the osteoblasts cultured with a deficient medium in comparison to the controls. But, high dose saponin was found to diminish the synthesis of DNA, RNA and collagen. In summary, the results showed that the saponin increased proliferation and differentiation of the chondrocyte cultured in deficient medium. Therefore saponin seemed to act as a physiologic stimulant on human chondrocyte. But further study should be done.
Cartilage, Articular ; Cell Proliferation ; Chondrocytes* ; Collagen ; Collagen Type I ; Collagenases ; DNA ; Humans* ; Knee Joint ; Osteoblasts ; Panax* ; RNA ; Saponins* ; Thymidine ; Uridine

No abstract available.
Herpesvirus 3, Human* ; Korea* ; Polymorphism, Restriction Fragment Length*

A 31-year-old female with paroxysmal nocturnal hemoglobinuria (PNH) presented with left hemiparesis. One year prior to this presentation she had been diagnosed with bihemispheric cerebral infarctions associated with moyamoya syndrome. During her current presentation, MRI revealed acute infarction of the right hemisphere and MRA revealed occlusion of the right internal carotid artery (ICA), and aggravation of the preexisting stenosis of the contralateral ICA and ipsilateral posterior cerebral artery compared to the previous MRA. We report herein a case of progressive moyamoya syndrome associated with PNH.
Adult ; Carotid Artery, Internal ; Cerebral Infarction ; Constriction, Pathologic ; Female ; Hemoglobinuria, Paroxysmal* ; Humans ; Infarction ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging ; Moyamoya Disease* ; Paresis ; Posterior Cerebral Artery

Ginseng root, as a folk medicine, has been used in for eastern countries for thousands of years. Ginseng extract has been shown to have a variety of effects on the activity of the central nervous system, promoting simulation as well as inhibition of the cortical activity. A survey of the relevant literatures has indicated that the putative anxiolytic activity of red ginseng has not been scientifically investigated. Therefore, the present study was designed to assess anxiolytic effect of ginseng total saponinis(GTS). The putative anxiolytic effects of several fractions of GTS were investigated in mice using an elevated plus maze paradigm. Single dose administration of TS Fr.- I showed anxiolytic action in mice. Anxiolytic effect induced by TS Fr.-I was similar to that induced by diazepam. TS Fr.-II, TS Fr.-III and TS Fr.-IV did not show the anxiolytic action compared with that of TS Fr.-I. It was suggested that regulation of GABAergic neurotransmission may be important in the action of GTS. The Interaction of GTS fractions with benzodiazepine receptor was performed using rat cortical membranes. GTS inhibited the binding of [3H] Rp 15-1788 on the benzodiazepine receptor. Among from TS fractions, the binding activity of GTS in the TS Fr.-IV was highest, which did not show the anxiolytic activity. From these results, we conclude that GTS has anxiolytic action, and the is not related to benzodiazepine receptor binding activity.
Animals ; Anti-Anxiety Agents* ; Central Nervous System ; Diazepam ; Medicine, Traditional ; Membranes ; Mice ; Panax* ; Rats ; Receptors, GABA-A ; Saponins* ; Synaptic Transmission

This study is to investigate consequent nutrient intake status, influence of body mass index(BMI), and fat distribution on the silk amino peptide(SAP) and dietary fiber supplementation. During 2 months of this research (January to March, 2002), 45 women aged 20yr - 30yr (average age 24.6yr) were selected as subjects. Nutrient intake was investigated by questionnaire, 24-hr recall method. Antropometric assessments of the subjects were investigated by SBIA method(Segmental bioimpedance assay, In body 3.0). The results are as follows : mean body weight 57.7kg, mean body height 161.9cm mean BMI 22.0, and mean food habit score was 8.47. Defecation frequency was increased by dietary fiber supplementation. Frequency of pain during defecation was significantly decreased by dietary fiber supplementation (p<0.01). Feeling of residual feces was significantly improved by dietary fiber supplementation(p<0.001). Status of energy and carbohydrate intakes significantly decreased after dietary fiber supplementation(P<0.05). Body fat and WHR(waist hip ratio) significantly decreased after dietary fiber supplementation(P<0.001), and percent body fat was decreased by dietary fiber supplementation, significantly(P<0.05). Above results of this study show that dietary fiber-added routine diet improves defecation condition, and lessens body fat, percent body fat without losing body muscle. Especially, declination of abdominal fat and WHR were notable. That meant decreased risk factor.
Abdominal Fat ; Adipose Tissue ; Body Height ; Body Mass Index* ; Body Weight ; Defecation ; Diet ; Dietary Fiber* ; Feces ; Female ; Food Habits ; Hip ; Humans ; Surveys and Questionnaires ; Risk Factors ; Silk*

Most proximal humeral fractures respond satisfactorily to simple conservative treatment, but operative treatment is recommended in cases where poor results are anticipated by prolonged immobilization, or because of severe displacement and comminution. We used a minimal internal fixation and tension band technique in severely displaced and comminuted cases to achieve firm fixation and avoid subacromial impingement. Passive range of motion of the involved shoulder began within the first postoperative day and active range of motion exercise was encouraged as soon as possible within the first postoperative week. Between February 1996 and November 1997, we operated using this technique on 15 patients ranging in age from 16 to 71 years (average 52). Follow-up averaged 13 months. During the follow-up period, all patients except one patient, had a active full range of motion on the affected limb. According to the evaluation on the 10 patients who had follow- up periods over 12 months by Hawkins rating scale of shoulder function, 6 patients had achieved a good result and 4 patients had achieved a fair result at the last follow up. In conclusion, tension band technique with minimal internal fixation could afford sufficient fracture stability to allow early, aggressive rehabilitation. As a method of internal fixation on a proximal humerus fracture, this technique may have particular advantages in elderly osteoporotic patients.
Aged ; Extremities ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Humerus ; Immobilization ; Range of Motion, Articular ; Rehabilitation ; Shoulder ; Shoulder Fractures*

Treatment of rotator cuff tears by open subacromial decompression has known successful in decreasing pain and restoring function in patients who have failed nonoperative treatment. But, open rotator cuff repair may result in significant deficits in strength and active motion by deltoid separation from the acromion. Deltoid detachment may be avoided by repair using mini-open technique. Arthroscopic subacromial decompression and the rotator cuff repair revel satisfactory results. Subacromial decompression involves decompression of the coracoacromial arch including routine release or resection of the coracoacromial ligament. Recent ligament-cutting studies have confirmed the role of the coracoacromial ligament as a static restraint to superior humeral head displacement. Complete resection of the coracoacromial ligament may be avoided through minimized arthroscopic acromioplasty. We evaluated all 11 patients with rotator cuff tears who underwent arthroscopic minimized subacromial decompression and rotator cuff repairs using mini-open technique. Their average age was 53 years (26 to 64 years); and the average follow-up was 13 months. Preoperatively, all patients complained pain and weakness. Follow-up using modified Hospital for Special Surgery shoulder score showed good to excellent results in 10 cases and poor results in 1 case an average 13 months postoperatively. We found that arthroscopic minimized subacromial decompression and repair using mini-open technique are safe, effective procedure for addressing cuff tears of a wide range of sizes.
Acromion ; Decompression ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Humeral Head ; Ligaments ; Rotator Cuff* ; Shoulder

PURPOSE: To identify the key CT features of lung parenchyma over time after cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR). MATERIALS AND METHODS: In total, 72 patients underwent CT after CPR. Because the median time from return of spontaneous circulation (ROSC) to CT was 1 h 3 min, we divided patients into two groups: ≤ 1 h (group 1) and > 1 h (group 2), based on the ROSC to CT time. We analyzed and compared various lung parenchymal CT findings between groups. RESULTS: Each group included 36 patients. Using statistical analysis, we identified seven statistically significant imaging features. Gradient (p = 0.010), lobular gradient (p = 0.017), diffuse pattern (p = 0.000), upper distribution (p = 0.032), and peripheral portion sparing (p = 0.000) were more common in group 1 than in group 2. Dependent density (p = 0.010) and lobular consolidation (p = 0.010) were more common in group 2 than in group 1. CONCLUSION The gradient and lobular gradient tended to disappear over time after ROSC. In terms of distribution, a diffuse pattern with upper predominance and peripheral portion sparing tended to disappear over time. However, the dependent density and lobular consolidation tended to increase over time in the lung parenchyma after CPR.

PURPOSE: Reliable prognostic factors, including clinicopathological parameters (Ed-alternatively, "Reliable clinicopathologic prognostic factors") such as tumor size, axillary lymph node involvement, histologic grade, menopausal patient status and steroid receptor status, are necessary in the management of breast cancer for predicting clinical course and as guide lines for adjuvant therapy. Recently, many reports have shown that expression of p53 and c-erbB-2 products is associated with poor prognosis. To elucidate the clinical value of p53 and c-erbB-2 protein expression as prognostic factors, their immunoreactivities were compared with known clinicopathologic prognostic factors. METHODS: The expressions of p53 and c-erbB-2 proteins were analyzed by immunohistochemical method with formalin-fixed and paraffin-embedded tissue samples of 71 invasive breast carcinomas accumulated between 1996 and 1999 at Chungbuk National University Hospital. The expressions of p53 and c-erbB-2 proteins were compared with established prognostic factors such as tumor size, axillary lymph node involvement, histologic grade, menopausal patient status and steroid hormone receptor status. Statistical significance was analyzed by chi-square test. RESULTS: The immunoreactivities of p53 and c-erbB-2 proteins were detected in 29.6% and 46.5%, respectively, of the samples. p53 positivity was significantly higher in breast car-cinoma that showed higher histologic grade or was metastasized to more than 3 axillary lymph nodes (P<0.05). There were no significant correlations between c-erbB-2 positivity and known clinicopathologic prognostic factors. CONCLUSION: This study suggests that expression of p53 protein could be used as a prognostic indicator in the management of breast cancer. But the impact of p53 and c- erbB-2 protein expression on overall survival and disease free survival rates should be evaluated further before being used as independent prognostic factors.
Breast Neoplasms* ; Breast* ; Chungcheongbuk-do ; Disease-Free Survival ; Humans ; Lymph Nodes ; Prognosis ; Receptor, erbB-2* ; Receptors, Steroid

No abstract available.
Cell Line, Tumor* ; Gonadal Steroid Hormones* ; Gonadotropin-Releasing Hormone* ; Gonads*